adventures in styling: free people!

This past Valentine's Day will forever go down as one of (if not the) best Valentine's Days of my life. I did not go out to an extravagant meal at a five star restaurant or take a fancy vacation to an exotic local. Quite the contrary, actually. My boyfriend and I were perfectly content with a home-cooked meal of macaroni and cheese and a bottle of Cab Sav, thankyouverymuch. 

What made my Valentine's Day so over-the-top memorable and fabulous was that I had the privilege of styling my first major sale, which just happened to be one of my all time favorite brands: Free People! I'm a long-time fan of the company: their products, store displays, website and overall branding. I even religiously collect their monthly catalogues to reference for inspiration. So needless to say I nearly shrieked with joy when my boss told me I'd be the one to style the sale, which is supposed to be a major one for ideeli with over 50 products. 

I truly had a blast working with my team to create gorgeous looks true to the Free People brand and am so proud of the way the sale turned out. Looks like it's doing well too, as more items are sold out every time I check! You have until tomorrow at 10 AM to shop the sale, and let me tell you, the stuff is freakin' CA-YUTE! Here are just a handful of my favorite looks:

Peace, Love, and Neon,
Marisa

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, NEON TEA PARTY!

This week marks two years of neon enthusiasm on this here blog! I'm so proud to have made it this far, blogging for 24 months, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon!

To celebrate, here's a list of some things I've been coveting recently: everything from kitschy banners to rings that perfectly balance fierceness and delicacy.

{fabric garland inspiration}

- - sewing instructions here and here - -

{free people's primal scream collection}

- - shop it here - -

{the perfect delicate statement rings}

- - tom binns and cc skye - -

{i'm a sucker for turquoise accents and swirly iron}

- - from anthropologie - -

{my dream house would obviously have a neon front door}

- - tips and more doors here - -

{a daily reminder to love life}

- - from catbird nyc - -

Peace, Love and 2 YEARS OF Neon,

Marisa

editorialized: sasha for free people

Looks like Free People is stepping up their editorial game--and shoot budget. The April 2011 catalogue features not only supder duper model Sasha Pivovarova, but also exotic animals like peacocks, baby leopards and baby Siberian tigers. Amazing jewelry with these looks and I'm loving all the long flowy skirts. Can't wait to see the whole thing!

The photos and video below are via Fashion Gone Rogue.

Check out this 33-second behind the scenes video of the shoot. Sasha's so freakin' adorable!

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

all things neon: orange lace, and fp spring '11

FABULOUS news kiddies: this spring, NEON is here. to. stay. I dare say it shall live on forever, even if no where else but my closet (and this here blog, of course). But as long as designers keep sending acid brights down the runway, my favorite stores will continue to dream up neon confections at lower prices that satisfy my perpetual thirst for the brightest of colors and allow me partake in the fun.

H&M, my top pick for fast fashion mega-retailer, is notorious for taking close inspiration for its designs from the runway, which is great for us fashion victims. So when my best friend Alex pointed out this dress to me there, my second thought was: "OH HI Proenza and Christopher Kane Spring '11! So wonderful to see you at H&M on Newbury Street!"

(My first thought, of course, was: "PUT THAT THING ON MY BODY RIGHT THIS SECOND.")

{sequin slip: free people, necklace:

marc by marc jacobs, shoes: nine west}

A modest $19.95 compared to its $5,000 counterparts. Heck, it's practically FREE! How's that for rationalizing unnecessary dress shopping?

But even beyond the price, the dress is perfect. The sleeves make a statement with their elbow-grazing length while avoiding full sleeve overkill. The silhouette is a shift dress, NOT a body con dress, thank todd, meaning that the use of sheer stretch lace here is flirty not slutty. The length is short enough to wear out at night, but long enough to feel comfortable walking into Chabad for Shabbat dinner sporting it. And the color? Well, that just goes without saying.

And don't I look ready to attend my very own NEON TEA PARTY?! That's always the point, after all.

Here are the images of what inevitably inspired this thrilling creation:

Christopher Kane SS '11

Proenza Schouler SS '11

{all images style.com}

SWOOOOON! Oh how I wish I had to budget to acquire the real things for my wardrobe!!

While we're on the topic of neon and Proenza (what else would we be talking about, let's be honest), looky looky the resemblance between something off the same runway and something I tried on yesterday at Free People.

Free People

Proenza

SPOOOKY!

And while we're on the topic of neon and Free People, look what else I got yesterday:

Neon pink flowy collar blouse! $88 YES YES AND YES!

And while we're still on the topic of what I got yesterday at Free People:

English rose print flutter shorts with lace trim!!! $58 Wow, what a combo of elements.

In conclusion, yesterday was quite the exciting day for my closet and I am BEYOND ready for warm weather to arrive and let me wear my new purchases.

More Spring '11 neon enthusiasm to come.

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

styling tip: freshening up winter looks

It's late March in Boston and, surprise surprise, it's still freeeezing out! Not to mention today's random flurries. Having just returned from sunny and 80 Atlanta, I'm especially bummed about being back in the arctic tundra that is the Northeast. While my body aches to be swathed in flimsy tanks and flutter shorts, I am forced to keep my pants on. Literally.

Today I bring you two styling tips picked up from fashion month's especially gorgeous street style images. Both are examples of how wearing accessories in a new way can freshen up overly recycled cold weather looks---and can be carried out through spring. (If it ever gets here!)

up top:

{tommy ton for style.com}

{streetfsn}

Wear a necklace like a bow tie!

Add a statement necklace to a button down button all the way up, making sure to place the necklace neatly under the collar.

*Also, check out the double watch action in the second picture! Love this. Honestly...WTF does too.

down low:

{both tommy ton for style.com}

Wear socks with heels!

Socks with heeled sandals allow you to break out those pretty new spring shoes now. Contrast colors and patterns for a bold look.

my take aka today's outfit:

{necklace: free people, shirt: j.crew}

{shoes: nine west, socks: monoprix,

worn with skinny jeans: madewell}

Whattup crappy quality Photobooth images.

Here's to hoping for a warm April full of pantsless heel+sockage!

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa

free people does paris

{free people january from freepeople on vimeo}

Exactly one year ago, I was settling into my temporary dream life that was a semester in Paris. How appropriate, then, that a year later Free People releases its January '11 catalogue shot dans ma ville favorite?

The catalogue's ethereal images feature (seemingly) effortlessly put-together girls frolicking the rues of the City of Light in lace, florals, frills and frocks. Blending Free People's signature boho-chic aesthetic and classic French flare, these spring looks are my dream come true.

Check out the video above for a montage of footage from the catalogue shoot. You can also digitally flip through the catalogue here.

One thing's for sure, though, I certainly wasn't sporting flowing tanks and short shorts in Paris last January.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa